# Moisturizer for sensitive skin

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/moisturizer/for-sensitive-skin/
Category: Beauty > Face moisturizer. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 410 counted first-hand reports from Ulta and Sephora shopper reviews, Jul 2021 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which moisturizer is good for sensitive skin?

**Short answer:** The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA leads for sensitive skin: 43 of 48 reviewers said it didn't irritate, sting or cause redness. IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream has the highest share at 95% from a smaller group, nearly all at Ulta, while Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream sit close to the leader at 40 of 45 and 44 of 50. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream has the weakest record here at 35 of 47.

**What stands out:** The weaker records come with specific complaints: scent for Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base (24%) and Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Cream (24%), and irritation for Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream (28%).

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | No irritation | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA | 43 of 48 | 90% | yes |
| 2 | IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream | 18 of 19 | 95% | yes |
| 3 | Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion | 40 of 45 | 89% | yes |
| 4 | Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream | 44 of 50 | 88% | yes |
| 5 | Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base | 24 of 30 | 80% | yes |
| 6 | Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream | 35 of 47 | 74% | yes |
| 7 | Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Cream | 18 of 24 | 75% | yes |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

Strong across skin types: 14 of 14 with combination skin and 5 of 6 with dry skin. 20% call it good value and 19% like it under makeup. 9% mention breakouts.

- Praised for: Hydrating (39%), Good value (20%), Works under makeup (19%)
- Complaints: Breaks skin out (9%), Not moisturizing enough (7%), Heavy (4%)
- Reports counted: 54

### 2. IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream

Nearly all counted reviews come from Ulta, where 16 of 17 said it didn't irritate. 50% call it gentle, and 12% mention breakouts.

- Praised for: Hydrating (42%), Works under makeup (21%), Absorbs fast (17%)
- Complaints: Breaks skin out (13%)
- Reports counted: 24

### 3. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Ulta reviewers were nearly unanimous (22 of 23) and Sephora reviewers were positive too (18 of 22). 58% call it gentle, and 13% mention irritation.

- Praised for: Hydrating (31%), No breakouts (16%), Not greasy (13%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (5%), Strong scent (5%)
- Reports counted: 55

### 4. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

More reviewers weighed in on this cream than on any other here (50), which gives its record solid support. 61% call it gentle and 30% call it lightweight. 11% say it's too expensive.

- Praised for: Hydrating (35%), Lightweight (30%), Not greasy (13%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (11%), Breaks skin out (7%), Not moisturizing enough (6%)
- Reports counted: 54

### 5. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

Fragrance is the sticking point: 24% mention a strong scent and 12% mention irritation. Fans praise it under makeup (33%) and call it gentle (31%).

- Praised for: Hydrating (37%), Works under makeup (33%), No breakouts (12%)
- Complaints: Strong scent (24%), Breaks skin out (14%), Too expensive (10%)
- Reports counted: 49

### 6. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Irritation is the main complaint at 28%, followed by price at 19%. Reviewers who like it call it gentle (35%) and lightweight (17%).

- Praised for: Hydrating (31%), No breakouts (19%), Lightweight (17%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (19%), Breaks skin out (13%), Not moisturizing enough (11%)
- Reports counted: 54

### 7. Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Cream

Scent (24%) and irritation (22%) are the complaints. On Estée Lauder's own site, 16 of 19 said it didn't irritate, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Hydrating (43%), No breakouts (14%), Absorbs fast (14%)
- Complaints: Strong scent (24%), Breaks skin out (14%)
- Reports counted: 37

## Questions

**Which moisturizer is good for sensitive skin?**

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA leads at 43 of 48. IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream has the highest share at 95%, from a smaller group. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (40 of 45) and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (44 of 50) also have solid records.

**Which of these moisturizers get complaints about scent?**

24% of Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base reviews and 24% of Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Cream reviews mention a strong scent. If fragrance bothers you, the others on this list draw few or no scent complaints.

**Does Drunk Elephant Protini irritate sensitive skin?**

Some reviewers say it does. 12 of 47 reviewers with sensitive skin said it irritated or stung, and 28% of its reviews mention irritation. That is the weakest record here at 35 of 47.

**What if a moisturizer stings or my skin gets red?**

Reviews can't tell you how your own skin will react, and sensitive skin varies a lot from person to person. If a product stings or turns your skin red, stop using it. If the reaction is severe, painful or sudden, a doctor or dermatologist is the right call.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/